Trimmer and slitter



Dec. 25, 1934. M. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1952 14 Sheets-Sheet 1' mQ wQ ME QQ Mk NE E MZRTANV ENT R /Y L 805765 www ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. Y M. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5 P751? TON L DODGE ED LHXO 2 BY YS W ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. DODGE ET AL 1,985,820

TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS MERTON L. 00065 @tWMw NEYS Dec. 25, 1934. M, L'DQDGE ET AL 1,985,820

TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 '14 Sheets-Sheet 4 NERTOH L. D0065 4mm INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934.

Ill IIIIIIII/lfl M. L. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Fi led Sept. 9, 1952 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Mf/PTO/Y L. @0065 ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. DODGE ET L 1,985,820

TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 l4 Sheets-Sheet 6 I [/1 '1: i f

0 E 0 o M 5 H0 w w Y E 1 $5.11

, MEA0 ZP5ZDGE ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. I M. L. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLI'ITEIR Filed Sept. 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 VENTORS ATTORNEYS Nf/FTUN L.

Dec. 25, 1934. M. 1.. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 w W 1 mw m CD0 W m .X 0 in n V L A MN mm m m c m Y m g m L n m N00,, llllll m I T o L v Q QM O u o N SQ 5N k NQ w$ M. L. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Dec. 25, 1934.

Filed Sept. 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR NERTO/Y Lfiauer: .50 ZHXOBY W ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. M. 1.. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTORS NEFTU/Y L. 00065 150 LflXO BY ATTORNEYS Dec. 25,1934. M, DQDGE ET AL 1,985,820

TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1952 1 l4 Sheets-Sheet ll AYQ W ORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. M. L. DODGE ET AL TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9', 1952 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 w x m 5 v \Q 5 m m QR mm m 8M x Kw Q M .0 A d LX hwm a N MLB 5 M M w l 1934. M. DODGE ET AL 1,985,820

TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1952 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 Jig. 25

- m INVENTORS b w 1 NERTO/Y 1.00061: kg I 0 44x0 ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. M. L. DODGE ET AL l4 Sheets-Sheet l4 TRIMMER AND SLITTER Filed Sept. 9, 1932 a Q mww m m m m m r N m E M Patented Dec. 25, 1934 TRIMMER 'AND SLITTER Merton L. Dodge, Seattle,-,Wash., and EdLaxo, Oakland, Calif., assignors to Continental Can Qompany, In'c., New York, N. Y.

7 Application September 9, 1932, Serial No. 632,460

.21 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for slitting and trimming sheets of tin plate or the like, especially for use in the making of can bodies; it being the principal object of the invention to provide a machine for the above purpose Within which a stackof metal sheets may be placed, and in which machine, feed mechanism is provided for automatically removing the sheets from the top of the stack, one at a time, and for advancing them between, cutters whereby they are divid'- ed first into strips, then the strips divided into blanks which are accurately sized for the making of can bodies. a g

More specifically stated, theobjects of the present invention reside in the provision of a ma chine for trimming and slitting metal sheets and which has the following novel features:

First; a feed mechanism whereby the sheets of tin plate will be fed, one at a time, from the top of the supply stack, by the cooperative action of vertically reciprocating suction devices and a 'feed chain belt equipped with 'pushers for engaging thesheets, as lifted by the suction devices, to advance them to the slitting and trimming cutters. a

Second; a stack elevatorand means automatically operable to advance it upwardly inaccordance with the decrease in the height of the stack incident to the feeding of sheets therefrom, thereby to maintain thetop of the stack in proper position relative to the feed mechanisms.

Third; means for positioning and squaring up the sheets and strips relative to the cutters as they are deliveredthereto.

mechanism whereby it may; be moved bodily to give easy access to the stack and also tothe guide-v Way for removal of damagedsheets; or forclearing the machine in the event of a jam. Fifth; the provision of means for separating theseveral strips'provided by passinga sheet through the first cutters; so that the strips may be taken up and'advanced individually andsuccessively to the cutters arranged for dividing-them into blanks of definite lengthi Sixth; the provision of acontrol valve of novel form for use in connection with the suction devices of the. feed mechanism.

Seventh; the provision of automatic control and stopdevices to; preclude damage to the machine incident to jams or careless operation.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details ofconstruction of the various parts, in their combination and in their mode of operation, as will hereinafter b described.

, In accomplishing these objects, we have pro vided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a metal sheettrimmer 5' and slitter embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thesame. 1 Fig. 3 f .a transverse section detail through the firstset or cutting rolls and'feed rolls, 4

Fig. 4 is the receiving end elevation of the machine.

' Fig. 5 is a sectional view,oi" a part of the sheet feeding means,,ta ken on line 55 in Fig. 1, particularly showing the suction cup mechanism for bowing the top sheet of thestack upwardly. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the stack elevator control switch. I

Fig. '7 is a detail, in side elevation, of a part of the feed mechanism as on line '7- -7 in Fig.5; showing thejtaking upof the top sheet from the stack bya hook onthe feed chain.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail, taken on line'8-.-8 in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail on line 9+9 in Fig.

1, showing means for separation of the strips as they aredelivered from the first series of cutters.

Fig. 10 isa similar view, illustrating the picking up and separating of strips by the conveyer chain which advances the strips to the secondseries of cutters. 1 H j Figill isa sectional detail, on the line 11-11 inFig.1. 3 Fig. 12 is a transverse section; substantially on v the line 12-12 in Fig. 1. Fourth; a hinged mounting for the sheet feed V Fig. 13 is a left end elevation, showing the driv ing means iorthe parts illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig.14is an enlarged detail, in plan'view of the fsquaring up means used inconiunctionwith the first series ofcutters; g Fig. 15 is ,a cross section on-line 15 15 in Fig. Fig. 16 is a plan view of. the main control and driving clutch-mechanism; 3

Fig. 17is an elevation .of the same. I Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional-detail of the suction control valve. a

Fig. 19 is a cross section of the same, on the line 1919 in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic illustration and wiring diagram of the automatic controls for the machine. Fig. 21 is a detail of the automatic stop switch to be actuated by damaged sheets entering the machine.

nism and; s'taclri elevator.

Fig. 22 is a detail in elevation of the stack elevating pawl and ratchet mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view, substantially on line 23-23 in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is an end view of the mechanism of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a detail of the stack elevator mechanism.

Fig. 26 isa detail of the automatic switch mechanism in connection with the elevator stop.

Fig. 27 is a detail of the safety lock.

Fig. 28 is a section on line 2828 in-Fi-g. 26.

The present machine includes a vertically movable elevator on which a stack of sheets of tinplate or the like, to be cut in pieces may be loaded. This elevator is automatically advanced upwardly to maintain the toprof the stack inproper relation to a feeding mechanism whereby the sheets are picked up, one at a time, from the top of thestack, and advanced, along a guideway and against the. first series of cutters. Automatically adjustable. guides square up-the sheets'in their delivery so that' the. sheets will be properly trimmed and the dividing. cuts will besquare with respect to the-end edges.

The several strips. into which the sheets are initiallydivided, are. advanced from the. cutters across a second guideway that extends ata right angle. to the. directionof the first guideway and they are dropped into this guideway onto a conveyer chain operating centrally in. and lengthwise thereof. Special'means isprovided for separating these. strips as. they are delivered. from the first cutters,v which permits. them to be individually picked. up.- by lugs on the conveyer chain and advanced thereby to the second series of cutters which. divide the strips. crosswise-into blanks exactly of proper size for canbodies. Means is also provided for properly locating the strips relative to the last series of cutters to insure proper trim- The mechanism for feedln'g'the sheets of tin plate into the machinefrom the top of' the stack includes a pair of vertically movable suction cups which are arranged to be. moved down against the topi'sheet of the stack, then. to be moved. upward while suction is.;applied tothe cups to retain their. hold on the sheet' so. as to bow the center portion thereof upwardly for engagement by hooks onan. endless feed. chain which operates to push the sheets to the squaring up means and intdthe first series of cutters. A special valve mechanism controls the timing andrelease of the application of suction to the cups, and special means are also provided for automatically controlling" the: upward. feeding of the stack, and for automatically disrupting the driving means of the machii'iei'n theeventa jam should occur. Various devices are provided also for manual, as: well as-automatic, control of the machine.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- At the receiving end' of the: machine, which is the right hand end as seen in Fig l, is a frame structure which'mounts the sheet: feed mecha- This frame, as seen best in Figs. 2 and 4, comprises a basestructure .formedhyparallelrI-beams l and- 12, joined :by

cross frames 3. Erected on these base beams, approximately midway of their. ends,-are opposite side frames i and 5 of an upper structure providing an unobstructed open space between themwithin. whichatable 6 is located for the supporter a stack cfitin'plate, as indicated in dotted lines at'l' in Figs. '2' and 4. The table is used as a support and as an aid to loading the stack into the machine and its construction provides that it may be moved into and from the machine on a small truck. As seen in Fig. 4, the table has flanges 7a-7a fixed to the frame thereof at opposite sides, adapted to be supported, respectively, upon angle iron beams 8 and 8 of the elevating mechanism. These beams are fixed, respectively, to brackets 9 and 9 through which vertical supporting shafts'10l0 are threaded. These shafts are revoluoly supported at their upper and lower ends in suitable bearings, as at 10c, attached to the side frames 4 and 5 and are connected for rotation in unison to thereby raise or lower the stack.

For. rotating the shafts 10-40, they are provided' at their lower ends, respectively, with drivin-g'bevel gears 13 and 13 and meshing with these gears are bevel gears 14 and 14. fixed on the ends of shafts l5 and 15' which, respectively. extend lengthwise along the beams l and 2 and are-.revolubly supported in suitable bearings 16 and it? as shown. in Fig. 2. These latter shafts are connected, so that-they may be rotated in unison, by a sprocket chain belt 18 which extends about sprocket wheels 19 and 19 on the shafts. Raising and lowering of the elevator is effected by rotation of shaft 15', and the means for doing this will later be described, after a description has been given of the driving mechanism.

The sheet feeding mechanism is carried by a frame. structure 25, which, as. seen best in Fig. 1. overlies the stack elevator between the side frames 4. and 5 and is swingingly supported for movement from a normal operative position, horizontally overlying the stack as seen in full lines in Fig.4, to an upwardly inclined, open positionas shown in dotted lines. The support about which the frame 25 is designed to swing is a shaft 26. that extends longitudinally along the top of the side frame 5. This shaft is revolubly driven by connection with the main driving mechanism of the machine. later described and is supported in bearings 2'? fixed to the top rail of frame 5. A lever arm 28 is fixed to the frame 25: and extends outwardly to the side of the machine, asseen in Fig. l. Attached to the arm and to .a bracket 29' fixed to the base beam 2, is a coiled spring 30 the tension of which will lift yieldingly retainthe frame 25 in its raised position when released. A lever. or handle bar 31 is fixed to the frame 25 to extend from the swinging side thereof across the side frame 4 and this bar is used a means for pulling the frame and feed mechanism down from raised position 'to horizontal functional position and it is designed to be locked in lowered position. thus to properly locate the feed mechanism relative to the stack. The lock consists of a link 32, having aseat 33: at its upper end to receive the bar. and pivotally fixed at its lower end by a bolt 34 to the frame 4. A hook 35 is pivotally attached. to the: link to overlie and retain the bar in the seat and when the hook is released from the bar. the spring 30 operates to swing the frame 25 and the feed mechanism to its raised position clear of thetop of the stack.

When the stack of metal sheets is elevated to proper position for feeding the sheets therefrom to the first series of cutters, the top sheet of the rollers are supported lengthwise of the direction of movement of the sheets to the cutters and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit of an upward bowing of thetop sheet between them. These rolls have pivots 37a at their ends revolubl'y contained in bearings 38 formed at the ends of supporting bars 39 -39'. "These bars extend lengthwise of and above the rolls,, as in Fig. 7 and are joined in parallel relation by cross bars 40 tojfwhich supporting posts"4l4l';are centrally fixed the posts being adjustably fixed in theframe by set screws 43, or the like, to

I located between the rollers 37-37 and are spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the movement ofthe sheet to the cutters. Each suction device, as seen in Fig.5, consists of a tubular shaft reciprocally movable in a supportin guide I bracket 46 fixed to the outer rail 25aof the frame 25. Slidably fitted upon the lower end of each tubular shaft is asleeve 47, formed at its lower end with a downwardly opening, flexible suction cup 48 of rubber, or the like, which will be seated against the topsheet of thestack when its tube is-moveddownwardly. On the upper end of each tubular shaft 45 is fixed a downwardly opening sleeve 49 which slidably fits overa tubular, upward extension 46a? of the guide bracket 46 in whichthe tube slides. A'rock shaft 50 is supported inbrackets 51 51 onthe frame 25 and to this shaft, lever arms 52 are fixed. At their outer' endsthese arms haveyok'es52f operatively connected, as at 52a, with the sleeves 49 for raising and lowering the tubular shafts 45 incident to rocking action of shaft 50.

Fixed to oneend of the rock'shaft 50 is, a lever ariri'53 which, at its outer end, mountsa cam rol1er54 arranged to'followwithin a cam groove 55 in a cam wheel 56 fixed on theshaft 26 so that, with each turn of the shaft 25 the. reciprocally mounted suction tubes'will be actuated in junison first to move the suctioncups 48 ddwr'i against the top sheet in the stack of tin; platexandthen to lift upwardly;. suction being appliedtoathecups just as they are moved against the stackjan'd maintained until they-have been lifte'd. The suction applied within the cups holds the engaged sheet against them so that as they move up wardly, the sheet will be lifted and bowed -upwarclly between the rollers373 7'. as seen a t iii-Fig. 5. t Suction is applied to the cups 48 through the tubes 45 whichare connected at their upper ends by'fiexible tubes 57-with the opposite 'ends of a pipe, 58 which, in turn, has a pipeconnection 58a, intermediate its ends with a suctioncontrol valve, designated at 59. H I

- Thevalve 59 is coaxial of shaft 26 and, as seen in Figs. 17 and 18, coinprisesa stationary. out-I side housing 59a of frustro conical formwith an opening 60 at one side into which the pipe 58a is threaded. It. also hasaclosing end wall 5% provided with. a hub portion 590 adjustably clamped in a supporting bearing2 7jas seenin Fig. 17, and this hub hasia centralchannel 61 into which a pipe 62, from a source of vacuum or suction, is threaded. Within the housing 59a, a rotary'valve element 59d is fitted, and this eleme'nt is operatively fixed to the end of shaft 26 to rotate therewith.

This revolving valve element is mounted upon a hub-like extension 63 attached within thebase of housing 5% co-axial thereof and provided with a channel 61a continuing from channelfil and leading into a laterally opening pocket 64 in the revolving valve element. Each time the pocket 64 passes across the opening 60, suction will be communicated through the pipe system to the two suction cups, 48, and this takes place'inciden-t to eachrotation of shaft 26. The rotary action of the valve member is sosynchronized with respect to the reciprocal action of the suction devices,

that suction is applied just asthe cups 48 move down against the top sheet of the stack and is maintained until the sheethas been lifted and engaged by an advancing hook ofthe feed chain.

A feature in the construction of the suction de-.

vices is found in slidably mounting the sleeves 47 on the tubes 45, to provide a cushioning effect that prevents the hold of the cups being broken.

from the sheets by reason of quick action of the tube actuating levers 52. It is to be observed,

by reference to Figs. 5 and8, that each sleeve 47 has a limited'sliding movement on "the lower end of its tube 45 and that it is held against disconnection therefrom by a link 64 which 'is at tached at its upper end, to a collar 65 on the tube by a bolt 66 and at its lower end, has a shoulder 67 slidable in a'verticalrecess 68 in the sleeve. As the tubes 45are moved downwardly to locate the suction cups against the topshee't of the stack, 1

each sleeve is at its lower limit relative to its tube, but the application of suction to the cups is made just before the tubes 45 start tomove upward and this causes an upward movement of the sleeves on the tubes. This movement starts the upward bowing of the sheetbefore the tubes'start actually on their upward movement. Then, when the tubes are actuated upwardly by the relatively quick action of levers 52, the internal suction tending to retain the sleeves at their upper limits relative tothe tubes, will operate to cushion the pull applied through the sleeves to lift and bow the sheet to the position 70 shown in Fig. '5. This cushioning effect prevents the quick upward action of the tubes 45 from breaking the hold of the cups with the plate. However, after the initial upward movement, a positive connection between each tube and its sleeve 47 is effected when the shoulder 67 of the connecting link-engages against the upper end wall of the vertical recess 68 in the sleeve; n i

When the two suction devices move upwardly, the sheet of tin plate engaged is drawn upwardly between the rollers ,37-37. The; rollers turn freely in their supports-so as to avoid any friction V on th'eplatefhlhen, after thesheet has been bowed upwardiy to the pasition shown in Fig. 5, it is advanced by the feedchain. i i

I The feed. chain 59 is of continuous belt form and it extendsabout sprocket wheels 79' and 71. The

sprocket wheel 70 is mounted by a stub'shaft 72 adjustablyfixed in one. end'of' the frame 25 to provide for taking up slack in the belt, and the wheel 71 is fixed on a driving shaft 74 revolubly signedfto hook over the rear edge of the upwardly bowed portion of the sheet, thereby to push it forwardly from the stack and into a guideway leading to. the first series of cutters.

It will-be mentioned here that the timing of the release .of the suction on cups 48 and the picking up of the sheets by the advancing links 80on the feed chain belt is very accurately adjusted so that the lifted sheets will be released from the cups just as the forward end of the.

hook shank passes beneath the edge of the sheet, but before the base of the hook has actually engaged the sheet. This is done in order to prevent damage to the sheet, and also to avoid frictional wear on the rubber suction cups by reason of slipping the sheet thereon. The hook shanks of course would be of sufficient length to provide for this result. The dotted line position of hook 80 in Fig. 7-shows the position of the hook when suction is released.

n flat bed plate 82 extends between the side frames 4 and 5 and the sheets are advanced from the stack. to the first series of cutters across this bed withina guideway formed between an angle iron rail 85-at one sideand squaring up angle iron guides 86 and 8'7 at the other side. The opposite side edges of the advancing sheets will rest upon the base flanges of these angle bars and they'will be guided by contact with their vertical flanges. The bed plate 82 supports the tin sheets between the angle beams and, as seen in Fig."l-,this bed has a downwardly inclined forward edge portion 82a which aids in guiding the sheets onto the bed.

The proper position of the stack within the machine is determined partly by locating it within bolsters on the table 6 and by gauges or guide bars fixed in the frame structures and against which: the stack is adjusted. As the stack is.

moved into position, the right hand vertical side surface, as seen in Figs. 2 and l, is brought up against a pair of vertical guide bars 92 fixed to the side frame 5, and the forward end surface of the stack is adjusted up against a vertical stop bar 93' as seen in Fig.2. The top sheets of the stack, immediately below the sheet that is picked up by the suction devices, are held against possible forward movement with the top sheet-by a yieldable latch 94, as seen in Fig. 7. This latch is pivoted at its lower end in the bed 82 by pin.95 and has a coiled spring 96 hearing thereagainst to. urge it outwardly against the stack. At its upper end, the latch has a forwardly directed head 94a overlying the stack and this head has an upwardly inclined under surface 9'7. When the top sheet is pulled up, it acts against the inclined surface and presses the latch back against the spring and out of the way. When the top-sheet is released therefrom it snaps back into position to retain the top sheets, not acted on by the feed chain, against possible forward movement by reason of frictional contact with the advancing sheet. The action of the feed chain 69 is to slide the engaged sheet from the top of the stack onto the bed plate 82, then between the stationary angle bar 85 and the squaring up angle bars 86 87 and deliver it to the first series of cutters. The upwardly bowed condition of the top sheet when in position for advancement decreases its normal width so that its entrance into the guide way is made easy. The angle bar 85 is accurately located and fixed to bed 82 at a right angle to the axial line of the cutter arbors and each sheet is squared up relative to the cutters by bringing one of its side edges firmly up against the angle bar 85 as the sheet is advanced along the guideway, This squaring up is accomplished by the pressure exerted against the sheet toward bar 85 by the angle-bar 86. The arrangement and operation of this will be best understood by reference to Figures 1, 1dand 15.

The two angle bars 86 and 87 are mounted by a bar 100 disposed lengthwise of the guideway upon the bed plate 82 and adjustably bolted thereinto. This bar is provided at its forward end and at a point medially thereof with outward extensions l0ll0l' having slots 102 lengthwise thereof through which attaching bolts 103 are extended into the bed plate. of the width of the guideway is made by adjustment of bar 100 inwardly or outwardly and an adjustment is held by tightening the bolts. Angle bar 86 is located just within the bar 100 andit has a central, outwardly directed post or stud 104 slidable in a socket 104' in the bar 100. ,A coiled spring 104a contained in the socket presses against the stud to urge the angle bar outwardly, that is, toward the opposite bar 85.

The angle bar 87 is pivotally attached by a vertical. pivot 105 to the end of bar 86 to serve as a continuation thereof, but it is outwardly in-, clined as seen in Fig. 1, to serve as a guide to direct the sheets of tin plate into the bar 86. At its receiving end, that is, the end nearest to the stack of tin plate, the bar 87 is attached by a vertical pivot 106 to the mounting bar 100. While the angle bar86 is permitted to move inwardly or outwardly, it is held absolutely parallel with bar 85 for all positions of adjustment, by the bar 8'? and a link 10'? that is connected pivotally at its ends by pivot bolts 109 and 110 respectively, to the outer end portion of a bracket arm 111 fixed rigidly to bar 86 and a lateral arm 112 at theend of bar 100. This is a conventional parallel link mechanism and it operates to maintain the bar 86 parallel with bar 85 under all inward or outward movement thereof provided for in its adjustable mounting. Therefore, when a sheet of metal is advanced by the feed chain, one side edge is broughtup against angle bar 85, and the opposite side edge is guided by bar 8'7 into engagement with the vertical flange of bar 86. The spring 104a urges angle bar 86 inwardly thereagainst to maintain the sheet squarely in position relative to the axial line of cutter arbors. Slight variations in widths of different sheets is thereby taken care of in the yieldability of spring 104a without binding or bending the sheets.

As the sheets are successively advanced by the feed chain, along the guideway over bed plate 82, they" are pressed flatly thereagainst by bars 115 which overlie the bed lengthwise of the guideway. These bars are suspended from the frame by links 116 pivotally attached to their forward ends and to the frame 25. At their rearward ends the bars are designed to rest flatly against the sheets. Also, there are several downwardly inclined lever arms 118 fixed to a cross shaft 119 that is mounted rotatably in supports 120 in frame 25 and some of these lever arms are pivotally connected at their lower ends with the bars 115, and the others are provided with end'shoes which ride upon and bear downwardly against the sheets passing thereunder to the cutters. These bars and levers operate to hold the sheets flatly against the bed, but, in the event that a warped or buckled sheet enters the guideway, this will operate to raise one or more of the bars or levers, and in so doing will rotate the shaft 119. This effects the opening of a switch in the automatic Adjustment .ings, asat 125, on the side they are connected for. rotation in unison. by .intermeshing gears 12,6 and=127 fixed to ends there- .of asseenin Fig. 2. ,Thearbor sprocket wheelz l28l fixed thereon at "one end on their arbor's by ting peripheralportions of ,the cutters of the, two .arbors are arrangedinoverlapped, shearing rela-- ,be described in detail. H 1

Alined with the rearward edge ofthe bed plate ,82 are parallel arbors 122 and 123 on which the l plate cutters, 124 are. fixed.

The arbors are rotatablymounted attheir ends in suitable bearframes4 and 5, and

v122 has a'driving through which connection is made by means of a sprocket chain belt 129 with a sprocket wheel 130 on a driven shaft 131.

' Thecutters124 are of circular form, mounted hub;portions 124a. The cuttion, and as eachsheet' of tin plate is pushed forwardly by the feed chain and its forwardedge moved against the cutters, it will be gripped thereby and carried ahead faster than therate of travel of the feed chain, thereby freeingithe rear edgeofthe plate fromthe hook of the feed chain. x

As the :sheetsare delivered through the first series of cutters-the outer pairs of cutterstrim the edges of the sheetyand the inner pairs of cutters dividethelsheet into strips. The strips,

onpassing between the cutters, are picked up by a pair of feed rollers 134 and l35 located just rearwardly of the shearing rolls, as seen in Fig. 3,

which-deliver thestrips into a second guideway extending at a right angle to the first guideway andleading to the second series of cutters.

These feed rollsare revolub ly mounted at their ends in the frames land and are: driven in unison by interm esh n gears 136 and 137 fixed on their ends, as seen in Fig- 2; gear137 being drivenby a gear 138 mounted-on frame land meshing with gear 127.

This second guideway is formed by a pair of angle bars l40--141 adjustably-fixed upon a frame structure 142 erected upon the rearward ends of the I-beams 1 and,2 as seen in Figs.

1 1 and 2; this guideway being at a lower level in the second guide way is .a conveyer chain belt.

than the first guideway, as seen inFig. 2. Also, as noted by referenceto Figs; 1, 9 and 10, cross rods 143 extend across the second guideway'supported at their rearward ends incollars 144 adjustable along a supporting shaft 145 fixedat its ends in brackets 146 on the frame structure 142 and at their inner ends are adjustably fixed in a cross bar 147 mounted in the frame structure just rearwardly of the feed rolls 134-135,

as seen in Fig. 3. These. cross rods are so alined with the paired cutters of the first series that as the strips or sectionsof tin plateare delivered from the feed rolls, .eachstrip will be supported closely adjacent its-forward edge, as seen in Fig. 9, upon a cross rod and will travel thereon across the guideway until free of the feed rollers- When these strips are finally free of the feed rolls, they will drop into the guideway, and by reason of their forward edges overlying the cross rods, their rearward edges will drop first as indicated by the dotted line showing thereof in Fig. 9, to a d in the separation of the strips. Operating centrally; of and lengthwise with- 148. This operates at its receiving end about a supporting sprocket; wheel 149 revoluble on a stub shaft 149' fixed in abracket attached to frame142. At its; other end pitorierats over the bottom of the guideway, and is supported vin a channel member 152. The belt is provided .at definiteLand regular intervals with attachment lugs 153 for pushing the strips forwardly along theiguidewaytoward the second series of cutters. v.tThe movement'of the conveyer chain is 50 timed that the strips of tin plate designated by reference character 7b will drop onto it as shown Fig. 10. That is, the forward edges of the stripswill. be supported on the'lugs 153 andthe rearward edges in positions resting on the chain or inposition to be engaged by a lug at th'erear edge. The ends of the strips will rest-loosely wi'thin the. angle. guide 140--141 forming the guideway and the frictional contact by' reason .of weight, or drag, will cause the strips to slip back and thus positionthemselves between successive lugs of the conveyer chain as seen in Fig. 11. Thus, in-this way, the strips 7b are separatedfor advancement successively to the second set of cutters. I 31 It will be here stated that the angle beam 140 which forms one side of the guideway leading to the second series of cutters, is adjustably mounted upon supporting cross'beams'142' of the frame structure 142 so as to provide for mak- :ing the guideway wider ornarrower. The supporting beams have longitudinal slots 154-th'erein,-'as seenin Fig. 1, and bolts 155 are extended throughthese slots and through the angle bar "which, .Whentight'ened hold the adjustment of the bar. Also,thechannel-member 152 in which the conveyer belt148 operates is adjustablysup ported at oneend by a bracket 156 andat its other end is adjustably fixed to the bed frame; .thesupport being. adjustable in theframe structure in ordertolocate it centrally of the guide- .wayh-regardless of its width. It will be observed also, by reference to Fig. 1, that, a-base plate 158 is located in the guideway between thechannel member 152 and angle 140 to carry the ends of the strips delivered into this guidewayacross this space. 1 i a The second series of cutters is located in a fran e structure 159 disposed at one side ofthe' m'ain frame and rigidly attached'to the base beam 2 by an intermediateframe 160, as seenbestin Fig.4 .This frame structure mountstwo "par allel arbors 162 and 163 on'whichcutters-164 vand165, likethose of the first series, are mounted in overlapped shearing, contact, as seen in-Fig. 11. These two arbor. shafts are connected to rotate in unison by means of inter-meshing gears .166-1-167'fixed to their outer ends,and they are driven by a sprocket chain belt 170 which operates abouta sprocket wheel 171 on the inner end of thearbor 162' andfa'. sprocket wheel 172 on driven shaft;1.73.' The driving means for the machine is an elec- .tric.motor.1'75 bolted to a lateral extension of .the frame 159, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4. A belt 176 operates about the motor pulley 177 and. a belt wheel17 8 on a shaft .179 that is rotatably mounted in bearings provided in the lateral extensioncof frame 159 one of-which is indicated at ;180,:Fig. 1. .Thebelt wheel 178 is operatively. connected. to shaft 179 through the medium of azclutchmechanism as at181 and the: clutch may be shifted toleifeot-or to disconnect a drivingtconnection bymeans of a'1ever'1821 fixed to and supported by a vertical shaft183' that is rotatable in a frame bracket 184p This control lever has a. I pivoted connection as at 185 i with there is a lever a'rm' 186- fitted to shaft lsaand this is connected by a'link 187 with, a piviotally movable controllever188 located at the opposite aided the machine so that an operator may have y oontrol also from that side. 1

Keyed on shaft 179 1s a. small gear 189 in-ldriving-mesh with a largergear 190 keyed on the s haft173. Also, shaft 173 has a geared connec- ;tion, as seen in dotted lines at 192 in Fig. 1, with ;a cross shaft193 .mountedacross the frame 159 parallel with shaft, 151. A gear 194 on the reare n ;d;o f shaft .193 meshes with a gear v195 ,on shaft;l5 1, thereby, to provide a driving connectiongfor the conveyer chain belt 148. Also keyedjjon shaft 173 is a bevel gear .196 ,andthis drivesa bevel. gear 197 keyed onzthe :horizontal'shaft .131 previously mentioned in 1 driv 'fi nnectionforthe firstseries of cutters, Also, on shaft 173 is a sprocket wheel 198 .alined with a sprocket wheel l99'on the end of shaft 26 and a sprocket chain:belt200. operates about these sprockets to drive the shaft 26 for operation ofthe, feed mechanism which delivers the sheets of tin plate into the machine.

The conveyer chain belt 148 advances the strips received in the guideway to a position just forwardly of p the second series of cutters. Then they are taken up by a pair of reciprocating feedslides which push them ahead of the chain lu s and on into the cutters. As seen best in. Figures 1 and 11, the feed slides 205 are reciprocally contained in parallel guideways 206 at opposite sides of the conveyor chain. These slides have downwardly yieldable push fingers 207 mounted in their upperedgesr When the slides move rearwardly, these fingers yield downward to pass below the strip advanced by the chain, then as the slides are moved forwardly, they engage the rear edge of the strip to push it into the cutters.

The slides205 are reciprocally actuated by means comprising a cam wheel 208 fixed on a supporting shaft 209 revoluble in a supporting bearing 210 attached to frame 159. This shaft is driven by a gear 212 which meshes with the driven gear 194 on the shaft .193. Mounted across the frame, below the cam Wheel, is a rocker shaft 215, actuated by a rocker lever 216 fixed thereto and provided at its end with a cam roller 217 that followswithin a slot 218 in the. cam. Lever arms 219219 are fixed to-the rocker shaft to extend upwardly therefrom, and at their upper ends they. are connected by links 220 with lugs 221 affixed to the slides. The driving connection is so constructed that the slides operate to-pick up each of the strips as they are advanced by theconveyor chain, and to move theminto the, cutters; the. action of the slides being somewhat faster than the chain so as to clear the strips from the pushers on the chain.

It isivery desirable in trimming these strips that they be accurately positioned relative to the cutters. This is especially true if the strips have previously been lithographed. Accurate positioning is not insured simply by advancing the strips along the guideway, since it is necessary that they have a certain amount of looseness in the guideway to prevent binding. Also, the strips vary in. length and it is not possible to accommodate thev guideway to the exact length of each strip. Therefore, we'have providedmeans for causing each striP juSt prior to its passing into the cutters, to be'abutted squarely against the angle 310? i l??? 1, w lichfixtend c ear upt t ecu theclutch collar forshifting the. clutch. Also, ---te'rs thereby to locate all strips accurately with vrespectto the. .cutters.

The strip positioning means consists of a slide bar; 225, reciprocally contained within a guide 'zb racket .226 attached to frame 159 at the side of. the guideway opposite: the: guide channel 141,

and it mountsthe slide for reciprocal action toward and from the guideway. The slide bar is The ilever 230 is connectedat' its upper end, through a link 233, with a ing 234 on the slide, andfs equippedat its lower end with a roller 235 that rides upon a cam track 236' adjustably fixed on the outer face of gear wheel 212; this oamtrack being designed to causethe slide to move inwardly just as the feed slides move each strip up to the-cutters; A coiledspring 238 attached to the lever and to the frame, holds the lever" to the cam track.; Mounted on the slide 225. is an extension member 240, adjustably attached to the'slide by bolts 241. At its outer end this extension has a downwardly directed member 242 designed by reason of inward travel of the slide to abut against the end of each strip, as delivered'by the feed slides, to push the strip over against the guide channel 141 thereby to accurately position and to square up the strip for delivery into the cutters. slight differences in lengths ;of strips, the slide has a slight overrun, but a yieldable connection in link 233 permits the overrun without damage 'to the strip. The yieldable connection in link 233 is seen best in Fig. 12, which shows the slide to be providedwith a longitudinal slot containing a block 250 to which link 233 is attached. A spring 251 normally retains the block against one end of the slot, but on inward travel of the slide, after the roller 242 has abutted against the end of a strip and pushed it over against the angle bar 141, the spring will yield to permit the slide to complete its travel without injury to the mechanism or strip.

To insure accurate squaring up of the strips against the advancing lugs of the reciprocating feed slides, we have provided a friction finger 260, as seen in Fig. 11, to centrally engage the strips just before delivery to the cutters. This finger is 'pivotally mounted by a pin 261 in a bracket 262 attached to a cross bar 263 forwardly of the upper arbor 162. It extends in the direction of travel of the strips and is pressed downwardly by a coiled spring 264 held in the bracket. A friction pad 265 is held at the end of the finger to engage the strips as they pass beneath it. In operation, should a strip be pushed forward by a pusher of a feed slide in a diagonal manner, the friction finger acts thereagainst as a sort of pivot by which the plate will be retarded in its forward travel and about which it will be caused to adjust itself until pushed forward by lugs of both the feed slides, thereby causing the strip to pass squarely into the cutters.

As the strips are thus delivered through the second series of cutters, they are cut into pieces of can body size. These pieces are carried through the cutter between upper and lower stripper plates 270 and 271 and then are taken up between feed rolls the upper one of which is indi- -cated at 272, Fig. 1. These latter rolls are rev- To take care of 

